Hunted

“Rise and shine me dearies” called Mother to her chicks. Your first day on the water.” Rush groaned, stood up and ruffled her feathers. Willow didn’t move until Berry jumped up and kicked her gently. Reed, the youngest was already waiting at the edge of the next, chirping wildly. The four chicks stood in a wobbly line behind their mother.

“now children,” Mother warned, “it is dangerous out there, so stay close and do as I say.

Rush spoke up.

“Will the two eggs be alright whist we’re gone?” Mistress Parsley paused.

“They should be,” was her only answer. “Wait here.” And with that the sleek black moorhen swam onto the river to check fro danger. Berrry named that for her bright vermilliion beak and love of berries, whispered to Reed.

“The animals out there love to eat tasty, little moorhens like you.”

“Berry!” Rush scolded, “Don’t be so harsh!” She turned to Reed. “Ignore her sweetie, she’s just trying to scare you.” Reed sat shaking in the a corner of the nest and Rush went to comfort her. When mother returned Reed had collected herself and once again they stood in an uneven line.

“Let’s go then,” said mother and they went out onto the great river.

First of all, Mother told them: “If you see a predator, freeze. If it sees you, run to the river bank and hide in the reeds.” Mother surveyed her babies, all nodding eagerly. Mother froze. Her chicks copied. They floaed gently on the water.

“It’s seen us,” she whispered, terrified. Suddenly they leapt into action and sped towards the riverbank, burying themselves in the long reeds.

Mother let out a breath.

“It’s gone,” she sighed. “Well done, children. You followed the correct path of action. Remember, always be alert. Come on, I’ll teach you how to feed safely.”

When the shadows shortened and the heat increased, Mother took her chicks back to their nest. Just before the bed of smooth reeds, Mother told her babies to wait where they were. She had smelt something. Something bad. She crept towards the nest. It was empty. Mistress Parsley’s heart sank. She called to her chicks and they filed in, one by one.

“The stoat came my darlings and it took your unborn siblings.”

“What are unborn siblings?” Asked Reed.

“The eggs sweetie. Mother’s eggs. Our eggs.” Rush sighed. Reed stared at her feet.

“Now get to bed, my dears. And rest,” Mother commanded. Willow cried herself to sleep that night and everyone was upset and depressed. All the moorhens slept soundly and deeply.

Mistress Moorhen, the mother of the chicks woke to the feel of water lapping at her feathers. She shot up like a bullet and immediately woke her babies.

“Everybody up! Stay close and follow me!” The confused chicks did as they were told. They had slept through the night but being sheltered by an alcove of reeds, Mistress Parsley hadn’t noticed the terrible storm until it was too late.

CRACK! A loud sharp noise and with a start the nest was dislodged from the river bank. They were adrift. Mother leapt into action. She called to her chicks and led them out onto the wold river. Swimming with all their might , the family of moorhens headed toward a safe part of the bank. Flapping their wings ferociously, they finally made it to the safe ground.

“Follow me!” Mother shouted over the howl of the wind and they scurried deeper into the undergrowth.

“Under my wings, children!” Mother ordered. “Rush, stay close!” The wet black balls of matted feathers crept under their mother and sat there, shivering.

Once the storm died down and the sun had braved the sky, Mistress Parsley lifted her wings and ruffled her feathers. Rush, Willow and Reed crawled out from under their Mother.

“Where is Berry?” Mother asked and glared at her chicks. Willow looked quietly. “Where is she?” Mother whispered, voice stern. Willow pointed towards a huge bull rush. Berry crept out from behind it. Mother gathered herself.

“We have to go. I smell a stoat.” Too late.

Mistress Parsley froze and all her checks cheeped with fear. The predator crept closer. The moorhens turned and fled, the stoat hot on their tail.

"To the water!” Mother screamed. “Swim down-stream! Follow me!” They reached the river and juped in without pause. “Keep Swimming!” Yelled Rush. They swam and they swam as fast as their legs could carry them. Eventually they passed a swan with a newgorn cygnet. Mistress Parsley thanked the river. The stoat took the bait., It changed course and went straight for the plump cygnet. The extremely protective mother flapped her wings and bore down on the creature.

“Do not stop!” Mother warned. “Keep going!” They kept on speeding down the river.

At last they slowed and stopped by an old boat shed. Warily, Rush and Willow stumbled in. It was deserted. They collapsed in a a heap and Berry, Reed and Mother followed suit. After a while Mistress Parley rose to scout around the old shelter. Berry and Willow searched about. In a adark, shadowy corner two speckled moorhen eggs lay. “Mother, Mother!” cried Willow.

Thinking her babies were in danger, Mistress Parsley rushed to save them. Frozen in the miracle that lay before her. Mistress Parsley let out a breath.

“You have to keep them Mother, oh please!” Berry begged. Mother smiled. “Of course, dearies,” she replied.

“Rise and shine, my dearies. Your first day on the water,” said Mother as she gazed longingly at her new chicks.